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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Mhairi

87 replies

Mamma3456 · 16/12/2024 13:08

I know that Mhairi is supposed to be pronounced Var-ree. But does anyone in Scotland pronounce it as Mah-ree?

DH and I are debating which to use. We like the spelling of Mhairi but the pronunciation of Mairi. DH is Scottish and knows a Mhairi who is known as Mah-ree, though he suspects it's because she couldn't be bothered to correct everyone, so I was wondering how common this pronunciation is used?

I do think it might annoy some of DH's Scottish relatives though who are a bit pedantic but don't speak Gaelic.

On a related note, is Mhairi Black known as Var-ree? I was just wondering if there is some well known precedence?

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jackstini · 16/12/2024 13:46

Don't know any Mhairi, but do know a Mari in England who pronounces it MAH-ri

Maddy70 · 16/12/2024 13:44

Ive only ever heard it as var ree

Maybe change the spalling

MerryChristmasToYou · 16/12/2024 13:41

What HarpieDuJour · Today 13:12 said
normal pronunciation would be Ma-ree, because Va-ree would be the vocative. So you would say "Have you seen Ma-ree?", but "Hello, Va-ree".
It's more MA-ree than Ma-REE.

Blahdeblah24 · 16/12/2024 13:30

Definitely not a common name in England and woud get a lot of mispronuniciation and spelling. I would have attepted it as Muh'Hairy!

SybilTheSpy · 16/12/2024 13:23

I know a Mhairi who's a Va-ree and a Mhairi who's a Ma-ree.

I'd just go with Mairi though, if Ma-ree is the pronunciation you favour.

SirChenjins · 16/12/2024 13:21

All the Mhairis I know pronounce it Var-ee. Mhairi Black is a tool, so pay no heed to what she does.

modgepodge · 16/12/2024 13:20

Do you live in Scotland OP? I think if you live in England you’ll get it pronounced with an M. The MP is the only person I have heard of with the name and she uses the M pronunciation, plus the way it’s written, most in England will assume it’s an M at the start.

Purplecatshopaholic · 16/12/2024 13:17

I’m in Scotland, and I know a few Mhairis, all pronounced Var-ee. I thought it was always pronounced with an V sound, but as others have said Mhairi Black the ex-MP pronounces it Mar-ee. She’s the only one I know of.

Vettrianofan · 16/12/2024 13:16

FuckItItsFine · 16/12/2024 13:10

I think Mhairi Black is “Maree”.

I went to school with a Mhairi who was “Varee”, which I much prefer and what I would automatically pronounce it as.

(I’m Scottish and grew up in NE Scotland)

Edited

I know a Mhairi too that is also pronounced varee. She's married to one of DH's pals.

It's one of those names where you must get so fed up of having to correct people!

HarpieDuJour · 16/12/2024 13:13

Gaelic, not garlic!

HarpieDuJour · 16/12/2024 13:12

I live in a Garlic speaking area, and the normal pronunciation would be Ma-ree, because Va-ree would be the vocative.
So you would say "Have you seen Ma-ree?", but "Hello, Va-ree".

FuckItItsFine · 16/12/2024 13:10

I think Mhairi Black is “Maree”.

I went to school with a Mhairi who was “Varee”, which I much prefer and what I would automatically pronounce it as.

(I’m Scottish and grew up in NE Scotland)